While Iran is pursuing its own nuclear program and North Korea is known to have aided other nations in nuclear technology, not to mention China and Russia aiding Iran, the IAEA reports “increase in illicit trafficking in and unauthorized activities with nuclear and other radioactive materials in 2003-2004.”

Countries reported 121 incidents to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2004, according to new statistics from the agency’s Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB).

One case, the Vienna-based agency said, involved weapon-grade material. Conceding that the majority of the incidents reported by States showed no criminal activity, the IAEA warned that in the hands of terrorists or criminals, some radioactive sources could be used for malicious purposes, for example in a radiological dispersal device or “dirty war.”

This news comes at the same time Ukraine announced it found radioactive material stolen from Chernoble one decade ago.